Everyday Living

Sacrifice & Thanksgiving

~ Faith, Holidays, Thanksgiving

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:1‬ ‭

Sacrifice and Thanksgiving are inseparable. When I ponder things to be thankful for, it seems nothing on my list would exist without sacrifice. And often sacrifice that included (or includes) great risk. I suppose it’s only natural that a greater sacrifice triggers within me a greater degree of thankfulness. Yet I know we must be grateful for small things too.

We visited Plymouth Massachusetts a few months ago and were reminded of tremendous sacrifice and risk when we toured the Mayflower II, an exact replica of the original 1620 vessel. The living conditions and all the unknowns that over 100 men, women and children faced to come to America is mind boggling.


Then I was thinking about the soldier, the police officer, the fireman, the teacher, the pastor, parents, grandparents, a dear friend, a nurse, a neighbor, a Good Samaritan, a husband, a wife, or any one of a hundred more we could list. Sacrifice + risk = thanksgiving. If it doesn’t, shame on me.

But I must conclude with mentioning the sacrifice of all sacrifices. Jesus, God’s Son, dying on a cross on behalf of and in the place of all of us.  Every tribe, every tongue, every nation. No one excluded. He rose from the grave, and by doing so, conquered death for all who would follow Him. This deserves to be at the top of our thanksgiving list.

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:15‬ ‭

 closer-both

A Reason To Be Thankful

~ Autumn, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday, Thanksgiving

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭95:1-2‬ ‭

Roasted Turkey.  Mama’s cornbread dressing recipe.  Butch’s rosemary mashed potatoes.  Green beans seasoned with ham.  Sweet potato casserole.  4 cheese mac & cheese.  Cranberry sauce from the can for my Daddy.  Homemade rolls.  Carrot cake with cream cheese icing, and of course pecan pie! My mouth is watering just thinking of these dishes that will grace our table next Thursday!  We cook and host Thanksgiving each year here at our home, a tradition handed down by my Mother.   Today, I am sharing our official Thanksgiving table with you…a simple one with little fuss! The most important element will gather around on November 24…our family!  The food will be delicious and the laughter will be endless, but it is our prayer that our eyes will be taken higher and placed upon our Heavenly Father who lavishes His love and blessings upon us.  Now, that is a reason to be thankful!  
 
The “Woodland” pattern by Spode remains one of my all time favorites, especially for autumn and Thanksgiving!


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The pheasant feather placemats frame each plate…just a little different and unique!READ MORE

…Our Daily Bread

~ Faith, Holidays, Thanksgiving

 Fine bread and good olive oil are so wonderful. If available, I indulge in far too much at one sitting. Then I am past full, to the point I know I will surely never be hungry again. Same is true every Thanksgiving. Then comes Black Friday. No,  I care absolutely nothing about shopping. But, I am hungry again! Turkey sandwiches, on good bread of course. Truly these are things to be thankful for daily, however nothing compares to that which is totally satisfying, eternally filling, and free to all who will partake.

Could there possibly be a menu like this?
Sure is!!

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst”
John 6:35

To get a more detailed account of this menu, we encourage you to click here:  John 6:22-59